2014 Twist/Braid/Bun for Growth Challenge

toaster

Well-Known Member
WELCOME!! Just thank this post if you'd like to join!

REMEMBER: No hiding your hair! No wigs, no weaves, no extensions, etc.

This challenge is for twist, braids, and buns on your own hair. Using these low manipulation and protective styles, we aim to retain the growth we achieve over the year.

Twists: 2 strand twists, flat twists, 2 strand flat twists, 3 strand twists, coils, bantu knots
Braids: Box braids & mini braids on your hair, plaits, cornrows, french braids, etc.
Buns: Any kind of bun or updo. We want our ends to be protected and tucked away!

RULES:
1. ALL STYLES MUST BE DONE WITH YOUR OWN HAIR EXCLUSIVELY.
2. Your hair must be in twist, braids or bunned for at least 5 consecutive days.
3. You can wear your hair out for up to 3 days after taking your twists out (like in twist-outs, afros, wash and go, etc). [If you need to amend your restyling time, let us know in your initial post! A 3-day turnaround may not be feasible for your schedule and lifestyle.]
4. Check in when you restyle your hair, or at least once a week.
5. When you restyle give us an update. (regimen, style, moisturizing secrets, etc.)
6. Post a picture of your hair at the beginning of the challenge and at the end. 7. The challenge will be from January 2, 2014 – December 31, 2014.
8. You will have 1 pass during the challenge to cover you for a week.
9. Heat is allowed in this challenge. Be sure to use a heat protectant and the lowest setting possible for your hair. Remember to be careful! We do not want to damage our hair for the styling purposes of this challenge.

REMEMBER: No hiding your hair! No wigs, no weaves, no extensions, etc. Feel free to join at any time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join the Challenge by Sharing:

1. What is your primary style (twists, braids, bunning, etc.)?

2. What is your style maintenance regimen?

3. Are you natural, relaxed, transitioning?

4. What do you hope to achieve from the challenge?

5. When and how will you restyle your hair?

6. Include Starting Pic. (You will not be an official challenger without one).

You may join the challenge any time you are ready! It does not have to be on January 2. It's never too late to join!!! We look forward to cooperative learning. Post your questions, frustrations, and trials. Share any tips that you may have to make this challenge more effective for all of us! We look forward to hearing your tips, suggestions, and questions. Also please post pics of your styles to give others inspiration!

Special shout-out to faithVA for doing these challenges last year. I hope to be an active and welcoming host! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Happy Hair Growing Ladies!

Let's end this year with wonderful growth.

Official Challengers
Toaster
prettybyrd
DigitalRain
FoxxyLocs
gvin89
Tibbar
DoDo
kim0105
Froreal3
myfaithrising
lulu97
mskraizy
davisbr88
jesusislove1526
charmtreese
fhrizzball
Rozlewis
nmartin20
KiwiStyle
Dalisha
 
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toaster

Well-Known Member
I guess I'll start!

1. What is your primary style (twists, braids, bunning, etc.)?

I primarily bun. Occasionally I twist my hair and put it into a bun, but I'm a bunner for life. Grew my hair to hip length with buns, cut it off without a second thought, and now I'm on my way back.

2. What is your style maintenance regimen?

I deep condition or cowash my hair every other night. Afterwards I moisturize and seal with the LOCB method using a variety of products and bun. I sleep in a satin cap and don't touch my hair until it's time to condition again.

I will be experimenting with stretching my hair via Curlformers this year, but I will still be bunning. Just want to see if I can do fancier buns with straighter hair.

3. Are you natural, relaxed, transitioning?

I am natural.

4. What do you hope to achieve from the challenge?

Growth! And some camaraderie.

5. When and how will you restyle your hair?

Every two nights, in fact tonight is a DC day so maybe I'll take pics of the process.

6. Include Starting Pic. (You will not be an official challenger without one).

Picture is attached from 12/19
 

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virtuenow

Well-Known Member
I like that you made this a full year challenge. For now I will be unofficially following the challenge! It's good for teaching ladies to wear their hair; and for learning to wear your hair.
 

prettybyrd

Well-Known Member
Yay!:yay: I'm so excited for this challenge. This will be the first time that I am committing to keeping my hair protected for the entire year.

1. What is your primary style (twists, braids, bunning, etc.)?
I am planning to use mini twists and mini braids through the year and buns between sets.

2. What is your style maintenance regimen?
I do not have one yet. :look: Since this will be the first time keeping my hair in twists/braids this long, I think that I will explore some of the old threads and this one for ideas on how to maintain. I will update this response once I have settled on a regimen.

3. Are you natural, relaxed, transitioning?
Natural

4. What do you hope to achieve from the challenge?
Length retention and some much needed support. I would also like to know how other ladies are maintaining their hair in twists and braids.

I'd also like to get good enough at twisting to start doing my own twisted and braided updos. I see so many that are pretty, and I'd love to try them, but stylists around here charge an arm and a leg for some of those styles.

5. When and how will you restyle your hair?
I am thinking that I will restyle my hair every 4-6 weeks. I will begin with mini twists that I install today.

6. Include Starting Pic. (You will not be an official challenger without one).
My happy NL twists...so, they're not quite mini-twists, but I'll get better!
 
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toaster

Well-Known Member
Woop woop! Welcome prettybyrd!!

I can attest that keeping your hair protected is a wonderful way to gain length and get to know your hair. I'm a big fan of enjoying your hair so if you ever need a few days to let your hair loose and enjoy the progress you're making don't even think twice about it!
 

prettybyrd

Well-Known Member
Woop woop! Welcome prettybyrd!!

I can attest that keeping your hair protected is a wonderful way to gain length and get to know your hair. I'm a big fan of enjoying your hair so if you ever need a few days to let your hair loose and enjoy the progress you're making don't even think twice about it!

Thank you! I can foresee some summer festivals/events where a WNG or fro will be my preferred style but for now and after next summer, it's all about twists and braids.

This will also be helpful as I exercise. Not having to think about what I'm going to do with my hair pre and post workout is going to be such a breeze. I'm so excited! :lol: Thanks for taking the lead on this!

Where's Tibbar? I hope that you're joining us!?
 

Tibbar

Well-Known Member
Thank you! I can foresee some summer festivals/events where a WNG or fro will be my preferred style but for now and after next summer, it's all about twists and braids.

This will also be helpful as I exercise. Not having to think about what I'm going to do with my hair pre and post workout is going to be such a breeze. I'm so excited! :lol: Thanks for taking the lead on this!

Where's @Tibbar? I hope that you're joining us!?

@prettybyrd -

I'm IN baby! :lol:

****holding my spot, back later with details / photos**** :grin:

1. What is your primary style (twists, braids, bunning, etc.)?
My primary style is twists. I take a break with buns.

2. What is your style maintenance regimen?
I usually wash weekly or biweekly. I try to pre-poo often, I do not deep condition enough but I hope to change that this year. On Black Friday I bought quite a few deep conditioners to try out.

3. Are you natural, relaxed, transitioning?
I have been natural a little over 3 years now after relaxing for 30 years (wow).

4. What do you hope to achieve from the challenge?
My primary motivation for wearing twists is ease of styling -- not having to manipulate my hair every day is a joy..... I hope to also achieve hair health (more thickness --- strand and density) and length would be a bonus.

5. When and how will you restyle your hair?
I restyle my hair when I wash it. If I have time I put the twists back in. If not, I will wear buns until I re-twist.

6. Include Starting Pic. (You will not be an official challenger without one).

starting pic below

 
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gvin89

Active Member
Joining....

1. What is your primary style (twists, braids, bunning, etc.)? 2 strand twists and flat twists.

2. What is your style maintenance regimen? wash and condition bi-weekly. M&S daily. I'd like to incorporate cowashing as well.

3. Are you natural, relaxed, transitioning? natural.

4. What do you hope to achieve from the challenge? growth and moisture retention.

5. When and how will you restyle your hair? I will wear twists for 2 weeks and a twist out for a few days before installing another set.
 
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DigitalRain

Well-Known Member
1. What is your primary style (twists, braids, bunning, etc.)?

2 strand twists

2. What is your style maintenance regimen?

Wash and condition every 1-2 weeks. Spritz my hair with water/leave in and seal with oil daily.

3. Are you natural, relaxed, transitioning?

Natural

4. What do you hope to achieve from the challenge?

More length!

5. When and how will you restyle your hair?

Every 1-2 weeks. Lately its been every 2 weeks. Its usually stays undisturbed in 2 strands twists till wash day.

6. Include Starting Pic.

 

Mskraizy

Well-Known Member
I really need to be in this challenge, I need to learn how to start styling my own hair again and not hiding behind my yarn braids, or my scarves.....or beanie caps....lol

I may join later, but for now I'm gonna unofficially follow as well. HHG ladies!
 

toaster

Well-Known Member
Thanks for joining DigitalRain! Your picture is gorgeous!! Do you moisturize and seal your hair while it's in twists? I never got the hang of it.

prettybyrd I like the width of your twists! They're small enough to hang but not so small that they'll be hard to take out.

Mskraizy feel free to follow along and officially join whenever you want! Also if you're experimenting with your hair go ahead and post. We can all learn from each other.
 

FoxxyLocs

Well-Known Member
1. What is your primary style (twists, braids, bunning, etc.)?

Bunning


2. What is your style maintenance regimen?

Shampoo/DC/blow dry/flat iron every 2 weeks. Trim/dust as needed. Seal ends with castor oil every few days.

3. Are you natural, relaxed, transitioning?

Natural

4. What do you hope to achieve from the challenge?

Length retention

5. When and how will you restyle your hair?

I wear my hair in a bun 95% of the time. If I wear it down it's usually only for a few hours.
 

Mskraizy

Well-Known Member
Mskraizy feel free to follow along and officially join whenever you want! Also if you're experimenting with your hair go ahead and post. We can all learn from each other.

I shall keep that in mind. I'm sure I'll probably be joing by like May or June...I just can't resist challenges. They're my weakness! :grin:
 

toaster

Well-Known Member
I just DC'd, rinsed, and moisturized my hair for the next two days. Up in a messy high bun. My hair felt really soft after using the Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Mask under my HotHead for about 30 minutes. I usually steam my DCers but I'm home for the holidays and there's no steamer here.

I have added tea rinses to my cowash days to give my hair a little strength because I use very moisturizing leave ins on my hair when I bun, but don't want any breakage!
 

DigitalRain

Well-Known Member
Thanks for joining DigitalRain! Your picture is gorgeous!! Do you moisturize and seal your hair while it's in twists? I never got the hang of it.

prettybyrd I like the width of your twists! They're small enough to hang but not so small that they'll be hard to take out.

Mskraizy feel free to follow along and officially join whenever you want! Also if you're experimenting with your hair go ahead and post. We can all learn from each other.

Thanks! I do everything while its twisted. I usually do not touch my hair unless its to re-arrange the twists to another style till wash day. Sometimes I won't even do that :lol:
 

Tibbar

Well-Known Member
Updated my post (#8) to include starting info. Happy to be in this challenge again. Welcome to all of the new challengers!

Happy Hair Growing...
 

DoDo

Big Hair, Don't Care
1. What is your primary style? Braids and buns
2. What is your style maintenance regimen? I oil or refresh with an oil then seal nightly. If it is a bun I use a satin cap if not I have a satin pillowcase.
3. Are you natural, relaxed, transitioning? Natural
4. What do you hope to achieve from the challenge? I want to remain on track with my hair journey.
5. When and how will you restyle your hair? Every three days I will detangle and restyle the bun. If it is braids I will redo the perimeter weekly, cowash biweekly and take down and restyle monthly.
6. Include Starting Pic. Check my avatar
 
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toaster

Well-Known Member
:bighug:

I'm really excited for my curlformers, but I'm getting nervous that 1 pack won't be enough. I've used the extra long and wide before and one pack was fine for my hair, so I'm assuming one pack of the extra long and extra wide will work just as well. I guess I'll see next Wednesday.

I've been cowashing/ deep conditioning every two days and bunning, but if I can get my curlformers to work a la naptural85 I might be able to go three days, still bunning obviously. I'll experiment with sleeping in them but knowing me I'll be ordering a Pibbs dryer to speed up the process.

Really just want moisturized and fluffy buns for the new year, plus an easy "out" style for a night out once a week or so.

Is that breaking the rules? Lol! Let me check...
 

Kim0105

Well-Known Member
I want to join. Was going to do the crown and glory challenge but my 3" of hair will not keep any extensions in.

1. What is your primary style (twists, braids, bunning, etc.)? Flat twists

2. What is your style maintenance regimen? Since my big chop 3 weeks ago it's been almost daily as I am fighting to keep moisture in. The goal is every 3 days when I cleanse my scalp. I run or in the gym 6 days per week and any longer than 3 days irritates my scalp.

3. Are you natural, relaxed, transitioning? Newly natural

4. What do you hope to achieve from the challenge? Length retention and ease of maintenance

5. When and how will you restyle your hair? Spritz with my moisture mix and baggy. Hoping to not mess with my hair until wash day.

6. Include Starting Pic. (You will not be an official challenger without one). Will try to get one that posts upright.
 

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toaster

Well-Known Member
Welcome Kim0105!!!

This will be a great challenge to help you get to know your natural hair.

Have you tried the LOC or LCO method to keep your hair moisturized? Using a liquid (water works), oil, and some sort of cream layered on your hair really helps to keep the moisture and softness in your hair.
 

FoxxyLocs

Well-Known Member
I bun by doing a Bantu knot and pinning in place so I don't get any breakage or damage to my edges. I think it's important not to stress your ends or edges, or else bunning can do more harm than good.
 

Kim0105

Well-Known Member
Welcome Kim0105!!!

This will be a great challenge to help you get to know your natural hair.

Have you tried the LOC or LCO method to keep your hair moisturized? Using a liquid (water works), oil, and some sort of cream layered on your hair really helps to keep the moisture and softness in your hair.

I'm doing a variation of that but will try this to see if my hair will keep moisturized for more than a day. Right now I add moisturizer to dry hair and seal with a butter when I refresh. Need to add the liquid, will start with water.
 

gvin89

Active Member
Cowashed yesterday and dried in plaits....will spend today twisting my hair.
 
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